North Plains Connector from South Dakota to Montana would enable shared power and more system reliability for large US grids, but transmission experts decry big gaps in "planning, permitting and paying."
UPDATE: Interim chair of key federal regulator of energy, power infrastructure is named Jan. 3, but agency still has a 2-2 partisan split that could hamper project decisions until new Senate hearings confirm a permanent leader.
Developers weigh options to expedite export infrastructure as Biden administration pushes market to help Europe cut Russia ties, but U.S. and global clean energy pressure clouds long term growth outlook. Issues also are set to scale up mining projects in the U.S.
Firm's environmental review award and engineering contract relate to same natural gas project, agency says, after watchdog group raises issues over the link.
D.C. appeals court June 22 reversal of an operating natural gas line's 2018 certification is a focus as the agency considers changes in how it decides need for interstate pipelines.
